Emphasis on Building a Growth Mindset
Edmonton Academy recognizes that success in school is a team effort that includes the teachers, students, and parents. For the learning team to experience increased success, every member of the learning team is encouraged to engage and participate in programming. This includes attending meetings, learning conferences, and engaging in the development and ongoing monitoring of the students’ individual program plans.
While creating a safe and caring environment for students, we encourage them to take risks. We teach them the difference between a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset.
We Put Heavy Emphasis on Growth Mindset
A “growth mindset” is the ability to identify and recognize one’s strengths, while acknowledging other areas for growth. With our support, our students learn about their specific learning profile, and we support them to develop the skills and abilities to remediate or compensate for their areas of difficulty.
Using the information we gather through the intake process, annual diagnostic academic assessments, and questionnaires, our learning team determines the students’ strengths, interests, and their areas for growth. The areas for growth become the long-term goals for our students which guides our programming.
A Mix of Compensatory and Remedial Approaches
Beyond good teaching and the universal strategies available to all students, Edmonton Academy uses both compensatory approaches (strength-based strategies that accommodate the students’ areas of need and build their independence) and remedial approaches (targeted strategies to address learning gaps and/or uses specific interventions to master foundational skills) to support our students.
Teachers at Edmonton Academy monitor students’ programming very closely and use ongoing assessments to guide programming. Teachers differentiate the learning pace, approaches, and materials to best meet the student’s learning needs. Parent communication is ongoing and includes mid-term evaluations, frequent parent–student-teacher conferences, and four report cards. Students will learn the content of their classes with us at school. The parents support their child’s at-home routine of regular review and practice of materials. As students progress through the grades, our goal is to increase their independence as a learner. Expectations for homework and studying increases to prepare them for their future.
